MPs call on Stephen Harper to clarify stand on Bill 101

Prime Minister Stephen Harper risks getting sucked into the political riptides of a debate over Quebec’s language law after opposition critics unanimously called on him Monday to clarify his position on Bill 101.

However, for Harper taking a stand one way or another is politically risky.

If he endorses Quebec’s French Language Charter he calms possible concerns among voters in rural Quebec where he hopes to make inroads in the next election but risks angering some Conservative voters in the rest of Canada.

However, if he is critical of Bill 101, he risks alienating the kind of soft nationalist voters he has been wooing since 2006 and driving them back to the Bloc Québécois.

When he was with the National Citizens Coalition, Harper was an outspoken opponent of Quebec’s language law, publicly denouncing it and helping bankroll a court challenge of Bill 101. In recent years, however, he has dodged the question, saying it is an issue that falls under provincial jurisdiction.

In an interview with a Halifax radio station, Bernier said it isn’t the government’s role to create and protect a national identity and Quebec doesn’t need Bill 101 to protect the French language.

Following a firestorm of reaction in Quebec, Bernier waded into the subject again Sunday, with a lengthy blog post explaining his position.

“Why should francophone parents not be allowed to send their children to an English or bilingual school for parts of their studies, so that they become completely fluent in both languages,” wrote Bernier, whose children have attended an exclusive private English school in Montreal.

“English is the language of 350 million people surrounding us. It is also the most important international language all over the world. Mastering it is a major asset.”

Bernier also questioned the perception that everyone in Quebec supports Bill 101.

“What is troubling is that there is no one in Quebec at the political level who is willing to speak up for this silent majority that wants fewer restrictive laws and more positive incentives to promote the use of French while remaining open to English. What should we conclude from this other than that this is a clear indication that our political life is somewhat dysfunctional?”

Monday, Harper’s opponents were quick to pounce.

NDP MP Thomas Mulcair, a former Quebec cabinet minister, said Bill 101 brought linguistic peace to Quebec and has played an important role in keeping Quebec within Canada.

Mulcair said Harper has to stop using provincial jurisdiction “as a fig leaf” and say where he stands on Bill 101.

“This time Mr. Harper can no longer hide. He is obliged to deal with the Bernier case clearly. He is obliged to say yes, he agrees with Bernier and Bernier can remain in caucus or no, he does not agree with Bernier on this question of identity and Bernier must leave. But he can no longer hide.”

“In 1996, the prime minister told us that Quebec’s language policy went against human rights,” Rodriguez said. “In 2002, he added to it, telling us that Quebec’s language policy prevented francophones from being bilingual.”

Rodriguez questioned why Harper hasn’t rebuffed Bernier.

“Is it because the prime minister didn’t understand what the MP said, or is it because at heart he totally agrees with him.”

Paradis responded that Bill 101 was a provincial issue and the Conservative government doesn’t believe in interfering in matters of provincial jurisdiction.

Outside the House, however, Veterans Affairs Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn said Bill 101 is part of the Quebecois nation the Conservative government recognized.

“I think that everybody agrees that it is important to protect the French language in Quebec. We have to think of ourselves today. We have to think of future generations who will follow us.”

Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe said when Harper was with the NCC he launched “virulent” attacks on Bill 101. Now as prime minister, Harper refuses to agree to applying Bill 101 to workplaces that fall under federal jurisdiction like transportation companies, banks and telecommunications companies, he said.